BS: Software to create quotation database?

Subject: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 11:10 AM

I've had a look round google and not seen what I think I want. Anyone know of any freeware which will allow me to create a literary quotations database which is also searchable?

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Amos
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 11:18 AM

Excel, if you already have it. Filemaker Pro, but probably not freeware. Any reasonably modern DB engine will serve as long as it allow slong text fields. There are not that many variables.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 11:43 AM

well, there is Quotes 2001 which already has a bunch of quotes in it. Fun, but not exactly what you need...

Take a look at TreePad, which has a free version. It can do an amazing bunch of things and can be customized for your pouposes.

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 11:54 AM

Thank you, both! I didn't know excel would take such long amounts of text until I just tried it. Thanks, Amos.

Bill, I'd hoped you would come in here. I will take a lok at Treepad. Thansk, again!

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Bert
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 01:10 PM

I have one written in perl, that is optimised for speed of access.

It isn't very elegant because bells and whistles slow down a database. So no fancy forms or windows 0or complex search criteria. It is just blindingly fast.

The records are free format and can be any length. You can put any kind of data in it and even mix up your data it doesn't care.

The whole database is saved in a single text file. The only formatting that you do is to insert a record separator.

If anyone is interested, PM me with your email address and I'll send you a copy.

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Rowan
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 08:09 PM

If you wanted to include source references, as in normal bibliographic technique, EndNote works well and articulates well with wordprocessors, but I don't think it's in freeware.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 11:46 PM

Thanks, Bertdarlin'...ya lost me at "perl"...my knittin' days are long past.**BG**

Thanks, Rowan. I see they do have a Thirty Day Free Trail Offer. Looks like quite a program. I think the simplicity of Excel will do me for now, but I am quite interested in Endnote for some works in progress, so will definitely be trying it out at some point.

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: autolycus
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 08:53 AM

I have a dozen or more quotes I don't have the source for. And they're in none of my 80 or so Dictionaries of Quotations.






       Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Amos
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 09:48 AM

I just put mine in my email program as sigs -- the program lists them by author and randomly sticks them at the end of emails.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Bert
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 02:26 PM

Perl is just the language that it is written in.

It is very easy to use you just enter your data into notepad or any other plain text editor. It's as simple as that, you don't have to worry about formatting as it is free form and your records can be of any length.

The only thing that is special is that if you are using Windows and you don't have Perl loaded then you will have to load Perl which is really easy and it's free. Probaly easier than loading and learning a proprietary database.

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Amos
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 03:44 PM

On the general subject of quotes, let me offer a caveat: when you find people being "quoted" on the Internet, it is no guarantee you are being told who the AUTHOR of the quote is. I have seen many instances where some rockstar who dropped a phrase 80 years older than he was, has been named as the author of it. Very sad reflection on the critical faculties and literacy of the culture, I must say.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 04:18 PM

In that case, Bert, I shall PM you with my email addy. Thanks!

I agree, Amos.

Ivor...:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Rowan
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 04:28 PM

The only other advice I can offer, kat, is "Don't delay!"

Over the years I've come across many students wanting to organise their bibliographies, but I've also known people with extensive collections of LPs who want to make it easier to retrieve info; both groups have hit the same wall. They don't think about creating something they can use until the task of data entry is more than a little daunting; when they've only got a small amount of data, the notion of creating one to handle only a couple of dozen entries seems 'over the top'.

Start now. Some clever wally will come along and tell you how to transfer your data from this system to that system later on, when you need it. But don't leave that too long either.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 04:32 PM

Bill IS some kind of software afficianado genius. He knows all the ins and outs. Besides his wife his first love is turning wood into wonderful shapes.

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: autolycus
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 03:04 PM

katlaughing,[or anyone] is there no ace place to identify unsourced quotations?






       Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 04:28 PM

Hmm. you are right about Bill, Donuel.:-)

Rowan, thanks...I don't remember all of the ones I wanted to save, so have started with the last five books I've read. So...I don't have that overwhelmed feeling just yet. I will have to keep up with it though or I will!

Ivor, I don't know of any except usual references. Have you tried entering a bit of each phrase in google to see what comes up? Not always accurate, I know, but it'd be a start. You might be surprised at what google has. Or, you could put them in a thread, this one or a new one and see if MUdcatters can attribute them.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Software to create quotation database?
From: autolycus
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 05:05 AM

Thanks,google hasn't done it,I'll try the 'catters.





      Ivor